Who is Codman, shunt manufacturer
Think of Johnson and Johnson and you think of baby bath time, warm fluffy towels and talcum powder, an image we know and have become accustomed to seeing in supermarkets, chemists and on television all over the world.
One does not automatically think of hydrocephalus, shunts and the manufacture of a range of neurosurgical equipment for the treatment and management of hydrocephalus and other neurological disorders. Codman, a division of Johnson & Johnson, provides exactly that.
In 1838 Thomas Codman established a manufacturing business in medical and surgical devices in Boston, Massachusetts. More than one hundred and sixty years later Codman continues to pursue the same principles upon which it was founded: quality, innovation and excellence.
Through the years the company has exhibited solid growth in its sales, employee base, reputation, and most importantly, in the number of its satisfied and loyal customers around the world. Their strong leadership position within neurosurgery has been built upon a commitment to the fundamentals of customer service, and this commitment continues today as their primary operating principle: understanding, anticipating and meeting the needs of both patients and medical staff.
In 1964, Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. joined the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. During its quarter century of Johnson & Johnson affiliation the company has displayed steady growth and its history of significant innovations has continued. Codman was one of the first companies to introduce a hip prosthesis for total hip replacement surgery. These products later became part of the nucleus of a new company founded within Johnson & Johnson to focus upon the orthopaedic joint replacement markets. This was the beginning of the Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics division, today named DePuy. Many instrument kits were also designed in co-operation with surgeons to better enable them to perform new and more effective procedures.
Today Codman focuses on neurosurgery and disorders related to the central nervous system - pain and spasticity management in particular - whilst continuing to expand its operations and its horizons. Through quality products, a tradition of unmatched customer service and high standards of integrity, Codman looks to the future with a high degree of optimism for continued growth and service to meet the ever-expanding needs of patients and medical staff.
Codman's effectiveness in the marketplace depends upon close contact with the neurosurgical community they serve: neurosurgeons, operating room nurses, hospital administrators and other healthcare professionals are routinely called on by sales specialists. In many ways, the Codman sales specialist is ‘Codman' to their customers. Recruited with prior sales experience and a strong academic background, these individuals receive extensive in-house and field training. Unlike many healthcare companies which utilise distributors, Codman sells its products on a direct basis to hospitals and surgeons, allowing them to set and manage high expectations. Face-to-face selling is today, and has been through the years, the single most important means of providing ultimate customer service.
In addition to the responsibility they feel in providing the highest level of customer service, Codman has a significant responsibility to partner with organisations who provide patient support in the community. ASBAH is one such organisation that is pivotal in providing patient support on all aspects of daily living for hydrocephalus patients, carers and families.
In 2004 Codman and ASBAH will work in partnership to promote ‘Hydrocephalus Action', a campaign aimed at heightening hydrocephalus awareness through many channels and events. Hydrocephalus can mean very little to those not directly involved either as a patient or carer. With this campaign we hope to increase the level of understanding amongst the general public, healthcare professionals and public policy decision makers throughout the UK.
Throughout 2005 we will be bringing you information on new activities.